By The Canadian Press

B.C. mines minister says Mount Polley disaster behind safety upgrades

Feb 25, 2019 | 2:42 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia’s mines minister says the Mount Polley tailings pond collapse is behind changes to increase safety and regulation enforcement in provincial mining operations.

Michelle Mungall says the government will spend $20 million over the next three years to hire 65 safety and enforcement officials and improve the mine permit approval process in an effort encourage investment.

She says the changes were based on the results in the Mining Jobs Task Force report, which made 25 recommendations to improve mine safety for workers and the environment, while spurring investment.

Mungall says the August 2014 Mount Polley disaster plays a pivotal role in the government’s decision to expand two ministry divisions covering health, safety and competitiveness in the industry.

The massive tailings dam breached at the copper and gold mine in B.C.’s Cariboo region near Quesnel Lake, sending 24 million cubic metres of mine waste and water into the nearby waterways.

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Mungall made the announcement at a B.C. Mining Day news conference outside the legislature accompanied by members of the mining industry and the government’s expanded divisions.